Pope Francis Declares Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII as Saints

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis proclaimed as saints Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII—considered two of the great popes of the 20th century—in an elaborate ceremony that drew hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to St. Peter's Square.

The history-making rite was celebrated jointly with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, bringing two living popes together to commemorate two of their predecessors.